MASSAGE THERAPY

Myopractics is a gentle form of dynamic manipulation and soft tissue techniques. Myopractics restores the body's normal movement and flexibility, and eliminates tension and pain.

A basic principle of Myopractics is that life is motion. The body is a fluid and dynamic system that is in constant motion. Anything that obstructs this life movement and restricts body tissue will manifest as aches and pains, tension and stress, or limited mobility. When there is a lack of motion in the body, this is referred to as a "restriction". A restriction causes an imbalance in the body that typically results in increased muscle tension in the area of the restriction and in adjacent areas. The body will typically produce this muscle tension in an attempt to counteract the restriction and re-establish structural harmony.

For example, many back problems are directly related to some structural imbalance from restrictions in the pelvic region. This area is especially important to the Myopractor. The pelvis is the foundation and weight bearing center of the human body. If there is a lack of motion in the pelvis, the body may shift the burden and tension of weight bearing into another area, such as the back. In this way, muscle tension is created in the back in an attempt to maintain balance and to establish normal posture. Once proper weight transfer of the body into the pelvis is restored through Myopractic techniques, the structural relationships are anatomically correct and harmonious, and the rest of the body structure can become normalized.

• William Hulls, DO, taught Jim Marinakis
• I have studied with the following Myopractors:
• Don Hirschi
• Forrest Wellington
• William Gajewski
• William Domke
• Ed Sheridan
• Rhonda Marinakis
• Rodger Bolllinger
• Jose Chris Vasquez Dunn

How is it similar to Naprapathy or Alphabiotics.

Myopractics brings one's entire body into balance and harmony. Through Myopractic techniques, motion is restored in the body so that one regains freedom of movement, maximum functioning and, consequently, freedom from stress.

Food:

Eating a lot of freshly-prepared protein (fish, meat, eggs, raw nuts) before your session is critical for you to get the best result from your treatment. Have plenty of protein in the 24-hour period before an appointment. On the day of your appointment, eat a large breakfast including plenty of protein. However, do not eat within two hours of your appointment. Individuals with low blood pressure and/or low blood sugar should pay special attention to eating well throughout the day of an appointment.

Water:

Please drink plenty of water the day before and the day of an appointment. The definition of plenty varies; one physician recommends that you take your body weight in pounds, divide by two, and consume that many ounces of water in a day. According to this formula, a 120-pound person would drink 60 ounces of water, or 7.5 cups, daily. Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics (they will work to eliminate water from your body) so if you consume alcohol or caffeine in the two days before an appointment, please drink extra water. Please continue to drink a lot of water after an appointment also.

Vitamins:

If you normally take vitamins, please remember to take vitamins on the day of an appointment. Bernard Filner, M.D., a Maryland physiatrist who studied with Janet Travell, M.D. and treats trigger points using her methods, requires his patients to take 2 grams (2000 milligrams) of timed release vitamin C per day for at least three days before their first visit (unless the patients have kidney stones). The timed release is important: Dr. Filner holds the opinion that 2 grams of timed release vitamin C is more useful to the body than 18 grams of regular vitamin C. In addition, he requires all his patients to start taking B-complex (50 milligram) vitamins, one pill daily, for six weeks, starting at least two weeks before the first appointment. In the B-complex vitamins, he requires the niacin to be in the form of niacinamide. Carol McMakin, D.C., an Oregon chiropractor who treats trigger points with microcurrent therapy (she presented this treatment strategy at the National Institutes of Health in April 2000), recommends that her patients to take complex low-dose anti-oxidant vitamins two hours before and immediately after a patient visit. For patients who do not have access to such vitamins, Dr. McMakin suggests an ordinary multi-vitamin two hours before and immediately after the patient visit.

Medication:

Do not stop any prescribed medication for an appointment. However, if you are choosing to take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug such as aspirin, naproxen, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, please avoid the use of such medication on the day of an appointment. Also, if you can, please do not take muscle relaxants 36 hours before your treatment.

Anti-inflammatory diet:

Recent research at the National Institutes of Health has linked localized myofascial pain syndrome with systemic inflammation. Andrew Weil, in his book, Eating Well For Optimum Health, recommends the following dietary changes to reduce inflammation naturally, without medication:
"Eliminate polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogenated oils, all foods (such as deep-fried foods) that might contain trans-fatty acids.
Use extra-virgin olive oil as your main fat.
Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Eat ginger and turmeric regularly."

David Seaman, author of Clinical Nutrition for Pain, Inflammation and Tissue Healing, has similar recommendations, noting also the value of fish oil (not for individuals taking blood-thinning medications), Vitamin D, magnesium, and probiotics.

Sleep:

Get plenty of sleep the night before an appointment.

Exercise:

Please do not engage in vigorous exercise on the day of an appointment.

Clothing:

Myopractics is done with the client dressed. Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing (not jeans) for your treatment: loose cotton pants, sweatpants, or gym shorts, and a T-shirt. Corduroy or other ribbed clothing may hinder the work. Clothing could be suitable for yoga class.